AECT 2004 - Online Learning: Perceptions of Useful and Challenging Characteristics
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The document reports on a study analyzing adult learners' perceptions of online learning characteristics, highlighting both helpful and challenging aspects. Key findings indicate that well-organized content and clear objectives are perceived as beneficial, while technical problems and a lack of community engagement are major challenges faced by learners. The results suggest a need for effective instructional design and strategies to address ongoing technical issues and enhance community building in online education.
AECT 2004 - Online Learning: Perceptions of Useful and Challenging Characteristics
- 1. Online learning: Perceptions of useful and challenging characteristics Liyan Song (lsong@coe.uga.edu) Ernise S. Singleton esinglet@coe.uga.edu Janette R. Hill janette@coe.uga.edu Myung Hwa Koh mhkoh@uga.edu Frankie Jones Michael Barbour University of Georgia
- 2. Purpose of the Session To report a continued study on adult learners’ perceptions of useful and challenging characteristics. Review year 1 study Report year 2 results Compare year 2 results with year 1 results Discussion
- 3. Research Questions & Research Methods Research Questions What components of online learning do students perceive as helpful? What components of online learning do students perceive as challenging? Research Design Questionnaire Interview
- 4. Results of Year 1 Study: Challenging Components Challenging components Overall Overall Experienced Novice satisfied unsatisfied learners learners Technical problems 60% 54% 49% 59% Lack of community 43% 90% 59% 54% Difficulty understanding 43% 63% 48% 40% goals/objectives of the course Time management 28% 27% 25% 36%
- 5. Results of Year 1 Study: Helpful Components Helpful components Overall Overall Experienced Novice satisfied unsatisfied learners learners Design of the course 82% 90% 86% 83% Time management 81% 45% 81% 78% Comfort with online 81% 63% 76% 77% technologies Motivation of the student 77% 72% 77% 75%
- 6. Results of Year 2 Study: Challenging Components Challenging Overall Overall Experienced Novice components satisfied unsatisfied learners learners Technical problems 68% 36% 65% 46% Lack of a sense of 31% 82% 40% 42% community Difficulty 9% 55% 16% 17% understanding goals of course Time management 17% 9% 16% 17%
- 7. Results of Year 2 Study: Helpful Components Overall satisfied Overall unsatisfied 1. Well-organized content 1. Well-organized content 2. Clea objectives r 2. Clea objectives r 3. Motivation of the student 3. Comfort with technology 4. Comfort with technology 4. Time management 5. Time management 5. Motivation of the student
- 8. Discussion Similar results in year 1 and year 2 studies Course design and organization are most helpful. Students’ are concerned with course planning and implementation. Technical problems and sense of community are challenging. Future directions for online education Need for effective instructional design Be prepared for technical problems (because they are not likely to disappear) Roles of instructors and learners in building online learning community